Stepanovite is a very rare organic mineral belonging to the humboldtine group, specifically an oxalate found in coal deposits. It typically forms as small, clear, tabular to rhombohedral crystals that are sensitive to dehydration and must be stored in sealed containers to prevent degradation.
Is this stepanovite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch stepanovite with a known reference. Stepanovite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stepanovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stepanovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular to rhombohedral crystals.
Often confused with
Stepanovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside stepanovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stepanovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMg(Fe,Al)(C₂O₄)₃·8-9H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 1.74 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Rhombohedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Coal Beds
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find stepanovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chara coal deposit, Chara River, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in coal beds country — that is the host setting where stepanovite typically forms. If you start seeing zhemchuzhnikovite, whewellite, weddellite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to rhombohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find stepanovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
